MyAccess Sign In

About MyAccess

If your institution subscribes to this resource, and you don't have a MyAccess Profile, please contact your library's reference desk for information on how to gain access to this resource from off-campus.

Be alert for increased depression and suicidal thoughts and ideology, especially when initiating drug treatment or in children and teenagers. Notify physician or mental health professional immediately if patient exhibits worsening depression or other changes in mood and behavior.

If used to treat chronic pain, assess pain levels periodically to help determine drug efficacy.

Watch for signs of leukopenia (fever, sore throat, signs of infection), thrombocytopenia (bruising, nose bleeds, bleeding gums), or unusual weakness and fatigue that might be due to anemia or other blood dyscrasias. Report these signs to the physician.

Interventions

Guard against falls and trauma (hip fractures, head injury, and so forth), and implement fall prevention strategies (See Appendix E).

Because of the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, use caution during aerobic exercise and endurance conditioning. Advise patient to also report any signs of increased arrhythmias, including palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fainting, and fatigue/weakness.

To minimize orthostatic hypotension, patient should move slowly when assuming a more upright position.

Help patient explore nonpharmacologic methods to reduce depression (exercise, counseling, support groups, and so forth).